CREAMLINE turned off Akari’s glare early in the match to churn out a 23-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-21 victory and stay unbeaten in four matches in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference eliminations at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City Thursday.
Ced Domingo produced a 14-point game she laced with five blocks that highlighted the Cool Smashers’ defense upfront that neutralized the Chargers’ hitters to move closer to another semifinals stint in pursuit of a record grand slam feat.
“The girls sort of became careless in the first set, but what’s important was they recovered,” Creamline Coach Sherwin Meneses said. “Akari’s no pushover, but we managed to make adjustments in the last three sets.”
The Chargers uncorked four consecutive points to stun the Cool Smashers and snatch the opening. But Creamline regrouped and swept the next two in emphatic fashion.
The Open Conference and Invitational champions also dominated the fourth but the Chargers saved three match points to close within 21-24, until Tots Carlos blasted in a kill off a missed receive and a shaky setup to wrap up the victory that came on the heels of their four-set wins over PLDT, Petro Gazz and Cignal.
Yeliz Basa led Creamline with 18 points while Jema Galanza backed their Turkish import and Domingo with 12 hits and 17 excellent receptions. Kyla Atienza posted 18 excellent digs and 12 receptions in another superb defensive game.
Prisilla Rivera scored 13 points while Erika Raagas added 10 points for the Chargers, who bounced back from an opening day loss to the HD Spikers with a straight win over the UAI-Army Lady Troopers but dropped their next three matches.